Harry Potter-inspired Quidditch tournament comes to Montreal

Montreal got a little taste of Harry Potter magic this weekend as 14 teams saddled up their broomsticks and vied for glory in theQuidditch Eastern Regional Championships at Soccerplexe Catalogna in Lachine.

While the broomsticks in the game of Harry Potter fameactually fly, players in this real-lifeversion merely run with thembetween their legs.

It looks a little awkward, but this take on Quidditch combines enough elements of rugby, lacrosse and touch football to inspire some fierce competition.

Laurent Chenet, who plays chaser for the McGill Quidditch Team, saidhe joined up as a joke, but found the novelty never wore off.

"I fell in love with it, and I keep going back for more," he said.

RAW: Quidditch action in Montreal

9 years ago

Duration 0:41

Montreal got a little taste of Harry Potter magic this weekend as 14 teams saddled up their broomsticks and vied for glory in the Quidditch Eastern Regional Championships at Soccerplexe Catalogna in Lachine.

As if it wasn't novel enough, this real-world take on Quidditch has the added cachet of men and women playing side-by-side.

"It's awesome. You don't see it very often, so for Quidditch to have this is a step in the right direction for all sports," said Jessica Mulvehill, who plays beater with the Carleton Ravens.

Theemphasis on fair play is what gives this wizard-free take on Quidditchits own bitof magic, saidorganizer Wesley Mackie.

"What I find magical about this is the community. Anyone who comes here is welcome. There's no belittling to my knowledge, or anything of that sort," he said.

Daybreak Montreal5:56McGill Quidditch team competes in Eastern Championships

Fourteen teams from Ontario and Quebec are facing off this weekend in the Quidditch Eastern Regional Championships at Soccerplexe Catalogna in Lachine.